speedxxtreme - 1-10-2007 at 05:57 PM
Hi
have got a newish Mk2 PL Buggy and was pulled all over the show last weekend using a 5 m Rebble in 14-18 Knts.
A wee bit unnerving at speed!
How do I combat this? - The only customised hardware i have so far is a 1.4M rear axel.
Do i need wider tyres for more sideways resistance?:puzzled:
Pablo - 1-10-2007 at 07:15 PM
Bigger tires will give you more sliding in most situations, mostly suited for soft sand and beaches. It's normal to have some sliding around, Trick is
to get it to slide properly. Kite control and flying style will also help out big time.
Say, if you're trying to change directions but the buggy won't turn, use the kite, turn the kite just a hare earlier and get it to pull you around the
corner. Another one is keeping the kite low, when it's at a 45deg angle or higher it'll take weight off the buggy, if you keep it low, it'll make more
power, but you'll have full weight on the wheels, the kite will surge, but if you cut upwind with the kite low you'll slow down again and find
yourself going upwind no problem.
Also, if you find yourself still sliding with the kite low pay attention to how the buggy slides. If the rear is coming around, you're centre of pull
is too far back, shorten up the downtube on the buggy to bring the centre of pull forwards, if you find the front is getting pulled out, move the
front end out so you move the centre of pull rearwards in the buggy. one or two inches makes a huge difference.
Lastly, overpowered will always get some sliding, not all good. Sooner or later you'll grow to love these days.:tumble:
1oldkid - 2-10-2007 at 07:52 PM
Pablo's right on about moving the center of pull and its affect.
When I got my used Flexi bug last year, I ran it a lot in different wind conditions and kite sizes. I became accustom to it not sliding much, even
when I tried to. I thought it was from the wide tires getting extra surface grip…silly me.
Late in the fall I had it parked next to another Flexi and happened to notice that the down tubes were set in different holes, (his was way out to the
last hole, mine was way in) yet our leg reach was the same. I thought maybe there was a longer down tube option that had come with mine, but laid side
by side they were the same length.
Turns out what was different were the seat and straps on mine were installed a bit different than the other 3 Flexi’s in the group. That caused the
backrest to position farther back to the rear axle at least 3 inches along with most of my butt weight.
Since I change the seat backrest to be like the others, I notice right away the bug would slide much easier. Took a little getting used to, but now
all is fine. And I have much better back support while sliding around the corners!
Pablo - 2-10-2007 at 08:25 PM
Hey man, I'm no genius, I just listen when in a crowd of guys with more experience than me. I owe a lot to JEllis, Sunset Jim and the rest of the
Seaside crew.